The second was a long time coming and Dallas supplied it four minutes from the break, volleying in George Saville's curling cross to the far post.

Paddy McNair had half-hearted appeals for a penalty waved away soon after the restart and Middlesbrough midfielder Saville sliced wide with a chance to extend the margin.

In the end, it was fittingly left to debutant Whyte to put the polish on a positive night for Northern Ireland, the 22-year-old delighting the home crowd by bundling home the loose ball from Dallas' low left-sided cross.

What it means: Northern Ireland still moving forward

They may have given up ground to Bosnia-Herzegovina but, on this week's evidence, Northern Ireland remain very much capable of winning promotion from Group 3 in League B.

The hosts should have prevailed in their opener and were richly deserving of a victory here that will instill the belief necessary to make a genuine challenge for top spot.

Pat on the back: Long-term future for Lewis

In youngster Jamal Lewis, O'Neill can ink in Northern Ireland's left-back for the next decade.

The Norwich City product, still just 20, looks at home in the international arena as he again showed a liking for forward raids at Windsor Park, along with some brave defending in his own box.

Boot up the backside: Haimov's headache

Davis' cleanly struck opener may have taken a slight touch off striker Dabbur but Israel goalkeeper Haimov can hardly be excused for allowing the ball to pass through his hands.

There were questions, too, over his inability to keep out the close-range second in what was a forgettable night for the Maccabi Haifa man.

Key Opta facts

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- Northern Ireland’s 3-0 victory was their first against Israel since October 1984, ending a run of four games without a win against them (D3 L1); Northern Ireland have now lost just one of their 10 games against Israel in all competitions (P10 W4 D5 L1).- Northern Ireland have won six of their last seven friendlies at home (L1) having failed to win any of their previous eight (D4 L4).- Northern Ireland scored as many goals in this game as they managed in their previous seven combined in all competitions (three).- Northern Ireland’s last 12 goals in all competitions at Windsor Park have been scored by different players (Ward, Washington, Boyce, Evans, Brunt, Magennis, an own goal, Smyth, Grigg, Davis Dallas and Whyte).

What's next?

Both teams return to Nations League action in October as Northern Ireland visit Austria and then Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Israel return home for dates with Scotland and Albania in Group 1 of League C.